Ecological Observations of Avian Fauna on Different Trees in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan, India
G. R. Parihar
Department of Zoology, Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
e-mail: grpariharjnvu@yahoo.co
The vegetation of the Thar Desert has great economic importance and many of them contribute to varieties of product for human use and also meet out the domestic requirement of birds. Among these, the Khejari (Prosopis cineraria), Ker (Caparis decidua), Jal (Salvadora persica) and Bordi (Zyzipus nummularia) have the vital role for biodiversity and supporting biocological activities of many birds for their survival in this region. The observations reveal that the Khejari has major important role and support a varieties of birds onthe tree and in the understory of it. These trees are used for night rest as well as for short rest during the day by birds. Caparis decedua is found to support about five species of birds. This shrub provides shelter to birds as night abode. Salvadora percica support four species of birds. Interestingly its holes of old tree trunk provide nesting to nocturnal bird i.e., spotted owlet (Althene brama). Similarly, Zyzipus nummularia support birds primarily for food and subsidiary for nesting purposes. This also provides shelter to birds from predator attack. In present work, bio-ecological observations related to food, feeding and resting behavior of various birds are discussed and are and presented in tables.
Key words: Birds, Thar Desert, Biodiversity, Predator.
